Tour de France 2013: this week's key stages

Team Sky riders, including Chris Froome, third from right, in action during stage eight of the Tour de France. Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Today, Stage 9: St-Girons→Bagnères

After eight days of racing the peloton's legs will be begging for a breather. Instead they get a brute of a day in the Pyrenees with four, first category climbs along the 165km route. That said, there is a 30km descent to the finish so the leaders may end the stage together.

Wednesday, Stage 11: Avranches→Mont Saint Michel

The 33km time trial is short but it still provides a chance for Chris Froome, who finished third in the London 2012 time trial, to take time out of his rivals.

Sunday, Stage 15:Givors→Mont Ventoux

The rest of next week will be for the sprinters. But that all changes on Sunday, when the peloton ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux, a relentless, unremitting, brutal slog along 20km of road. It is the longest climb on this year's Tour and it may yet decide it.